Finding stable housing is a challenging journey, particularly for racial minorities. While one might expect that a strong credit score and stable income are enough to secure an apartment, housing discrimination can derail even the best-prepared applicants. The reason isn’t your financial standing but something beyond your control: your race. When race becomes a factor in application rejections, it’s not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a significant barrier that contributes to the broader issue of homelessness.

     Predatory lending, a form of unethical and exploitative lending that imposes unfair and often abusive loan terms, adds another layer of difficulty for this population. Racial minorities are disproportionately targeted by lenders who offer mortgages with excessively high interest rates and unfavorable conditions. These predatory practices trap individuals in cycles of debt and foreclosure, making it difficult to maintain their homes and increasing their risk of homelessness. 

     The long shadow of discriminatory practices like redlining continues to shape housing inequities for racial minorities today. Originally rooted in policies that denied loans and insurance based on the racial makeup of the neighbourhoods, redlining has left deep scars on Canada’s Black communities, perpetuating segregation and limiting access to essential resources. Even decades after the National Housing Act, and the outlawing of redlining, Black neighbourhoods continued to face discrimination from landlords, real estate agents, and even neighbours. Financial institutions marked these areas as poor credit risks, making it nearly impossible for residents to secure mortgages or loans for home related improvements, which reinforced the cycle of poverty in these communities. The legacy of these displacements lingers, as modern-day gentrification threatens other historically Black neighbourhoods, pushing communities away from their own homes to make room for other projects. In Little Jamaica, found in Toronto, the construction of the Eglinton LRT has led to skyrocketing housing prices and the displacement of long-standing residents and business, echoing the same patterns of exclusion and erasure that defined redlining in the past. 

     While there have been some attempts at reconciliation, such as the restoration of Africville's name to a park in Halifax and discussions on how to honor Hogan’s Alley’s Black history, the harm caused by these actions remains far from rectified. The ongoing displacement of Black communities through gentrification reveals that the struggle for housing equity is far from over, with many still facing the threat of being pushed out of their homes in the name of industrialization. 

     Even though there are laws against housing discrimination, making sure these laws are followed can be difficult. There is a need to strengthen existing anti-discrimination laws. This includes not only tightening regulations but also ensuring that they are actively and consistently enforced. Enhanced oversight and accountability mechanisms can help prevent discriminatory practices and ensure that violators face appropriate consequences. 

      Many people don't know their rights or can't afford to take legal action. To truly make a difference, we need to strengthen these laws, help people access the support they need, and tackle the root causes of both discrimination and homelessness. This way, we can work towards a fairer housing system where everyone has a fair chance to find and keep a stable home.

References 

Community Housing Transformation Centre. (2024, May 9). Reinforcing Black Canadian communities through housing transformation. Community Housing Transformation Centre - Centre de transformation du logement communautaire. https://centre.support/reinforcing-black-canadian-communities-through-housing-transformation/ 

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